Upper body looked slightly less defined than in the past couple years. Slowish time but hung way way back, must have been 26.5 at 200 and finished with a flurry over the last 50. I don't think it was close to an all out effort. 800 next week.

Semenya used her usual strategy but started way too slow here. Last year, when she won the DL final in Brussels with her PR of 50.40, she was behind but much faster than in Rabat. She was closing hard on the others in the final 50m (BTW, Hayes's modest 51 flat was only half a second better than Semenya's time).

I think two things must be said:1) Semenya misjudged her race2) Semenya didn't make a great effort here; I think this is also because of the last IAAF's studio which wants to oblige her to undergo therapy again. I don't think we are going to see a great 800m time in Monaco (by her).

51.53 aint bad at all. Think about how many 1:55 HS Boys can't break 52 in the open 400m.

Very few. This is especially true when you select high school boys, since most high schoolers haven't come close to fully developing their aerobic ability yet, but probably have just about as much speed as they ever will.

Shoot, I would say the typical 1:57 high school boy is able to break 52 in an open 400.

Semenya used her usual strategy but started way too slow here. Last year, when she won the DL final in Brussels with her PR of 50.40, she was behind but much faster than in Rabat. She was closing hard on the others in the final 50m (BTW, Hayes's modest 51 flat was only half a second better than Semenya's time).

I think two things must be said:1) Semenya misjudged her race2) Semenya didn't make a great effort here; I think this is also because of the last IAAF's studio which wants to oblige her to undergo therapy again. I don't think we are going to see a great 800m time in Monaco (by her).

I predict we will even see a sorry looking loss, perhaps even a 4th place, in the 800m next week. Followed by a sudden return to form just in time to win gold at the worlds. And yet more authoritative body language at the end of the race, controlling the shaking hands thing, so we can see what a fair and equal competitor he is.

51.53 aint bad at all. Think about how many 1:55 HS Boys can't break 52 in the open 400m.

Very few. This is especially true when you select high school boys, since most high schoolers haven't come close to fully developing their aerobic ability yet, but probably have just about as much speed as they ever will.

Shoot, I would say the typical 1:57 high school boy is able to break 52 in an open 400.

51.53 aint bad at all. Think about how many 1:55 HS Boys can't break 52 in the open 400m.

Very few. This is especially true when you select high school boys, since most high schoolers haven't come close to fully developing their aerobic ability yet, but probably have just about as much speed as they ever will.

Shoot, I would say the typical 1:57 high school boy is able to break 52 in an open 400.

I don't agree at all I'm afraid.

Then you're not correct..overwhelming majority of HS kids running 1:55 can go at least 52.0 or quicker

51.53 aint bad at all. Think about how many 1:55 HS Boys can't break 52 in the open 400m.

Very few. This is especially true when you select high school boys, since most high schoolers haven't come close to fully developing their aerobic ability yet, but probably have just about as much speed as they ever will.

Shoot, I would say the typical 1:57 high school boy is able to break 52 in an open 400.

I don't agree at all I'm afraid.

Then you're not correct..overwhelming majority of HS kids running 1:55 can go at least 52.0 or quicker

You said 1:57 high school boys. Not in the open 400 they can't. Maybe relay.